Veterinary Chiropractic | suttonwoodschiro

Musculoskeletal problems or injuries can affect the entire body, often leading to pain and discomfort and inhibiting normal movement. As a chiropractor we use our hands to assess the range of motion using a technique called motion palpation to determine the areas of restriction as compared to what we would expect for that animal. Symptoms of a restriction can be numerous and may include pain, spasm, sensitivity to touch, lameness, gait abnormalities and postural changes. These symptoms are the easiest to detect in animals. Once identified, restricted joints can be treated with a chiropractic adjustment (a precise thrust in to a joint).

Recognising signs and symptoms

Horses (and Riders)

Behavioural changes
Unexplained loss of performance
Abnormal posture
Snapping and pinning back its ears when being saddled
Bucking, rearing, napping, unexplained resistance
Stiffness on one rein
Disobedience when jumping
Difficulties with collected lateral gaits
Sensitivity to touch
Resistance of grooming or tacking up

Asymmetrical muscle tone, uneven muscle development
Carrying the tail to one side
Cold backed

Horse and rider: When treating horses it is also important to consider treating the rider. Creating a synergy between the rider and the horse is important to minimise the effect of the rider inadvertently injuring their horse or the horse adversely affecting the rider due to an often unseen biomechanical problem.

It is a simple fact that if you are imbalanced, the horse will be too. It is an often over looked issue and many practitioners only work on your horse without taking into account the effect of the rider on the animal so the problem is never managed effectively.

Dog, cats and other small animals

Reluctance to move
Abnormal posture
Disability to climb stairs or jump onto araised areas (eg the sofa)
Signs of pain when performing certain movements or being lifted
Disobedience when jumping
Altered sitting position (so-called “puppy sitting” – sitting on one side) or lying on one side only

Veterinary Consent Form

Before your animals treatment please download and complete the consent form.

You can bring a printed copy to your appointment or email it to: suttonwoodschiropracticclinic@gmail.com

Download the form: Veterinary Consent Form

Animal Chiropractic is not meant to replace traditional veterinary care. It is not an alternative treatment, but rather an integrative method that can be used in conjunction with traditional veterinary care.

Please note: You vet needs to be contacted prior to booking a treatment as it’s illegal for anyone to treat an animal without a veterinary surgeon’s approval. Most vets are aware of the benefits of chiropractic and massage and will readily give their permission, so it should only take a few minutes. You can provide me with your vets details and I will happily call them on your behalf.